Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-12

was cheap enough for any able-bodIed laboror
whose expenses were paid, and there was no
reason why these convicts Hhosli not be 20 en-
ployed as 70 bring revenue TO the state. -,
MIR Keezcll suggested that the price he hxec
NJ forty-one ceuts. the samo paid BIZ contractors
within the prison walls
Mr.. Stubs was surprised that Mr.. Wickham
should want the works Of internal improve
mepf which are bringing wealth into the state
and developing her territory, 20 pay for tneso
lahorers bonus over expenses which were
shown 10 be not more than about twenty-three
cents per day. He proceeded 10 oppose tne
amendment and 70 advocate the substitute
aud bold up iis merits. After further discus
sion the amendment OF Mr. Wiczhnm was
adopted. -
Several other amendments were adopted aol
many rejected. As amended the bill taxes III
all OF the roGds named above and several mo, p
among which are the Atlantic and DanFili9'
The Dsnville and New-Fiyer, and the Charles
ton. Cincinnati and Chicago; they arc all 70
ray thirty-ive cents a day per head, and more
Il this does not pay the expenses. aud 70 staha
on equal footing ono with the other in their ai'-
plfiatlons for the convicts: the hiring Of men 70
them ls not 20 interfere with any existing con-
tract, and each road is TO deposit with the Trea-
surer Of the State $4,000 a. an evidence that
the road will 10 built, this amount 70 be re-
turned when ten miles Of tie road are coil-
pleted.
THE BILL DISCUSSED.
The discussion on the general merits OF the
bill lasted for nearly two hours, and took z
wide range.
Mr.. Stdbbs. at great length, advocated the
measure ns n good one. All should be sa.tsioi
II the penitentiary was not an exp9nse 10 tto
state, and these men should be given 70 ire
roads, that they may be builtup and the values
Of the state thereby increased.
Mr. Keezell strongly opposed tho bll. 10
thought Inc peniienuHfy was the place Tor tDU
convlcts. The Institution last year for the hr,
a lot Of cOnyicts out or road, which CO.'S t.-t
State $1,000
Mr. Cnusey referred to the Journal of CON
years back 20 show that under RePuoii . '.
administration The report Of tho SupoI1nien-
dent ol tLe Pcni:eniiary showed tha' compare
with fCToral years previous tho Institution pr4i
over 5000 per year
NJ kCcgCn insisted fhat an examination 81
the report Cf n crflTi'fce tprOints1 20 aIa'a
inc the rerCrt q the superintendent referrc
20 would show thot tho s.afeM4a8 cOn.Ginc-
therein were CfDiy groundlese.
Nr. IOvcnsiC,I strongly urged tho pai'2E2
oi ihc bill on tho ground ihat " ii aid lOt p1y
in dollars and csris now IL would sgou-u.liy ln
increasing he taxable values % ihc stl'c J.
Il could he doue legally be would he Glad o.
see lie prcfcnt contracts abrocatci.
Nr. fNy00n said g. sscIaot 90 hso tha' O..
CiscEssion Ind revealed tho ic-i ihar ihc-f
were only two parties on this cuoaiiJn-ieo+a 70.
favor OF al rcEafinE existing contracts lcr co.
yCts 70 work IN the poniicnI9ry ND thOsr cp-
posed To their repeal ~ it could o." ieglitr
done, ne was ia favor 81 their repeal, bectts
DC believed that tho building oi those railr0a
WOuld tcgd 10 the development OF the Sia'c.
and AZ The fanc iiMe rCnfnyc these c0aYic..
fIOm com pet!iion Win skl.lc1 labor.